76 A STUDY OF FARM ANIMALS 



ing and changing it so that it can pass through the walls of 

 the digestive tract and be used in the body. From the 

 stomach, by a peculiar wave-like motion, the food is forced 

 at frequent intervals into the small intestines, where it is 

 mixed with other fluids that aid digestion. The liver, which 

 is the largest gland in the body, and the pancreas both pour 

 fluids that aid digestion over the food as it moves along the 

 way in the small intestine. 



Thus it will be seen that from the time it is taken 

 into the mouth the food is constantly acted on and changed 

 for use in the body. Most of the food digested is absorbed 

 from the small intestine but some passes on into the large 

 one, where the last changes take place. During this trip in 

 the body the protein, carbohydrates, and fat are changed 

 into different smaller and simpler particles. When ready to 

 be absorbed, they are taken into the circulation by the blood 

 and lymph, and carried all through the body. Left in the 

 cells, these particles of protein, etc., which are called nutri- 

 ents, serve their final purpose of building up the body or 

 producing milk or energy. This process of digestion and 

 absorption is rather complicated, and includes many changes 

 that need not be mentioned here. 



The capacity of stomach and intestines is much greater 

 than many persons realize. Careful study has been made 

 of these organs of farm animals, and the following figures 

 may be regarded as fairly accurate: 



COMBINED CAPACITY OF STOMACH AND INTESTINES. 



The ox 337 quarts, or about 2 barrels 



The horse 224 quarts, or over 1 barrel 



The sheep 47 quarts, or about 12 gallons 



The hog 29 quarts, or about 7 gallons 



It is to be noticed that the ox, with its compound stomach, 

 has almost twice the capacity of the horse, and the sheep, in 

 proportion to size, has much more capacity than the hog. 

 The intestines of the ox are about 187 feet long, while those 

 of the horse are but 98, and those of the sheep are 107 feet 



